Getting on Board

A bulletin board is better at handling clutter and organizing information. But if you want to flip the script, start using a vision board, which is an effective way of visualizing your goals in life

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: I have a bulletin board at home and at my office and wonder if I am using them efficiently. Do you have any ideas for me? Also, I hear a lot about vision boards. What are they, and is a bulletin board also a vision board?

Great questions! I have a lot to share about bulletin boards and vision boards. Let’s start with bulletin boards.

Bulletin Boards

Most often bulletin boards are a reference space, a catch-all for information and upcoming events, or a place to collect information for a specific project. If you want to use yours more efficiently, follow the four simple steps below:

• Clear and declutter it. Remove everything from the bulletin board and then decide its function.

• Objectively observe your board. Now that the board is cleared off, do you need to repair or replace it? Avoid using a warped or broken board so as not to perpetuate that influence in your life.

• Rehang your items. Keeping its function in mind, put only those things on the bulletin board that serve its purpose, discarding anything outdated. If you need to refer to something often, make sure it is in prime eye-level position.

• Label multi-use boards. For better identification, label different areas on the bulletin board, depending on the focus. For example, you can give each person in your home an area, or you can have labels such as “event tickets,” “documents to sign,” “coupons,” “don’t forget,” etc.

Vision Boards

If you determine that you do not need a bulletin board, create a vision board. A vision board is a visual representation of the things you want to do, buy, attract or manifest in your life. They are an excellent way to focus your energy on your desires by displaying images about who, what or where you want to be in your life and can include material things, such as a home, car or vacation, or situational things, such as a dream job or a relationship.

Decide the focus. A vision board should clearly reflect your vision for your life. You can have one vision for all your goals, or you can have several areas of the board for different goals. You can even have different vision boards in different areas of the home, for example, one for money and your career goals in your home office, or one for relationships, love or health in your bedroom.

How to create it

Many people make a vision board using magazine images and photos of things they want to attract in their lives. The vision board doesn’t have to be physical, as you can also create it on your computer. You can start by putting up one or two inspiring images around your home. It doesn’t have to be a huge project. The main thing is to make what you desire visible, choosing images that conjure up positive feelings when you see them.

Simple tips on making your board

1. Decide if your vision board will be a scrapbook, a corkboard, or just a large poster board where you can paste your images.

2. Decide whether you want one vision board for all your images, or several vision boards that have independent themes: for example, one with images of where you want to travel, one with relationship goals, one with images of the “feelings” you would like to experience more of, and so on.

3. Get clear on what you really want. The images you choose should be heart-felt, evoking a feeling within you. If your image gives you no feeling of happiness, peace or whatever you want to feel, it will be ineffective.

4. Look for and cut out images in magazines, brochures, calendars or any other illustrated printed matter, or print out images from the Internet. Also consider taking your own photos, as they can be even more effective. Visit and capture a neighborhood to which you would like to move, or photograph a car you have test driven and would like to own one day.

5. Include “feel good” images — photos of you with friends or you having fun or of something else inspiring.

6. Place your vision board or scrapbook somewhere prominent so that you will see it often. Take a photo of it so that you can see it on your smart phone, iPad or other device. The more often you see your vision board the better.

7. Update your vision board when it gets stale; change the images to keep them in line with your intent so that you can reconnect with your heart’s desire.

8. Spend time each day looking at your images and asking yourself what action you can take to bring you closer to what you want. Vision coupled with action is the key to success.

Finally, take the time to appreciate where you are today. If you fail to see the beauty of your life as it is today, it will take you longer to get where you hope to be or what you want to do or have.

Alice Inoue is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer at Happiness U, an educational establishment at the Gentry Pacific Center on Nimitz Highway. Learn things about life that were never taught in school about how to be happy. Happiness U offers classes such as Feng Shui 101, Clutter Clearing Plan 101, Positive Mindset 101, Happiness 101 and more. Visit www.YourHappinessU.com for more information.